Chapter 7
Lane stood behind Celine, Duke beside him, both men flanking her while she spoke with Spencer about her vehicle.
She sat at an empty table, her knee bouncing up and down, broadcasting her nerves brighter than the neon signs above the bar.
He listened to every detail, biting his tongue so as not to jump in. As much as he wanted to be helpful, he didn’t want to give her any reason to tell him to leave.
Tia sat next to Celine, eyes wide with worry.
Spencer scribbled in the same notepad he’d used the night before. “So no one saw anything and there are no cameras pointed at the back lot?”
Sighing, Tia shook her head. “We’ve never had a reason to be concerned over security issues, and even if I’d wanted to, there’s no place in town to sell what I’d need.”
Duke snorted. “Tell me about it. We had to drive over an hour to get a system for residential use. Can’t imagine where someone around here’d find something professional enough for a business.”
Spencer hooked up one light eyebrow. “And who are you?”
“Oh, sorry, I keep forgetting to introduce myself. I’m Duke, Lane’s buddy.”
Apparently satisfied with that response, Spencer refocused on Celine. “You’ve been targeted twice now. Any ideas who could be behind this?”
Tears welled in Celine’s eyes. “No, I swear I have no idea who it could be. I haven’t had issues with anyone. Nothing unusual has happened until last night. I can’t believe someone is out there tormenting me and no one has caught even a glimpse of him.”
“What about surrounding businesses?” Lane asked, unable to help himself. “Any of them have cameras? Even if they aren’t pointed directly in the lot here, they could show people coming and going. Maybe give us something useful.”
“I’ll take a look,” Spencer said. “Until we figure out what’s going on, Celine, you need to be on high alert. Deputies are still searching for this guy from last night, and the sheriff will want to be filled in on this asap. This case just climbed to the top of our priority list.”
Lane bit back a comment about how finding Celine’s attacker should have been at the top of the list all along.
“I’m going to see about those other cameras,” Spencer said. “Call me if you think of anything that could be useful.”
Lane walked Spencer to the front door, stopping him before the deputy made it outside. “Besides installing the security system at her place, is there anything else she should do to stay safe? Can a deputy be stationed outside her home to ensure this guy doesn’t go after her again?”
Spencer twisted his facial features into a grimace. “I wish we could, man, but the department is short-staffed right now. We can’t afford to just keep someone stationary to watch one civilian when we have a whole county to patrol.”
“Damn, I get it, but I hate the idea of her and the baby all alone.”
Spencer glanced past him toward where Celine sat with Tia, Duke still standing guard.
“I don’t like it either, but my hands are tied.
Yours aren’t. I know you’re probably not planning on sticking around town, but you could stay long enough to make sure she’s okay. But that’s between the two of you.”
The idea took root inside Lane as he watched Spencer head outside.
He’d love nothing more than guarding Celine until her attacker was behind bars.
Not only would it keep her safe, but it could give him a chance to get to know his son—maybe even prove to Celine how much he meant what he said about being around for his child.
He made his way back to the center of the room where Celine and Tia sat. Celine wiped tears from her cheeks, the scent of fear wafting off her in waves.
She stared up at him with wide eyes. “What did he say?”
He blew out a long breath. “I asked if the department could station a deputy outside your house for the time being, but he said they’re too short staffed. But at least you’ll have the security system. That will keep anyone out, or at last alert you and the police if someone tries to get in again.”
“I can’t even get back to my house,” she said, snorting out a humorless laugh. “My car’s a mess. No way I can drive it.”
“I’ll take you,” Tia said. “I’ll close down for the night.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Celine said. “I’ll call my mom.”
“I’ll drive you,” Lane said. “My truck’s out front. Grab the car seat, and we’ll pick up Parker. Then we can go over everything you need to know about the new system. Make sure it all works before I take off.”
He wouldn’t bring up the idea of him sticking around. At least not yet.
The way she clenched her hands in her lap relayed her uncertainty, but she nodded. “Okay.”
“Looks like we got ourselves a plan,” Duke said, rubbing his palms together. “Let’s get goin’.”
Lane bit back a groan. Before he could focus on Celine and what he needed to do to win her over, he had to get rid of the most unwanted houseguest ever.
The sight of Lane’s childhood house caused a dust storm of emotions to stir to life inside of Celine. Sweet memories of evenings spent on the porch swing snuggled up against him came back to her along with the gut-punching reminder of the first time he’d walked out of her life.
When he’d left town without her, after promising to take her with him.
She gave a tiny shake of her head to toss those thoughts out of her mind. That was a lifetime ago, and she had more urgent issues consuming her at the moment—including Lane’s abrupt presence in her life. But even that had to take a backseat to this new danger surrounding her.
A vehicle pulled down the tree-lined lane behind them, and Celine turned in her seat for a better look.
Lane muttered under his breath.
Fear inched up her spine. “Who is it?”
“Suzy.”
Duke whipped around from his spot in the back. “Who’s Suzy?”
“Lane’s sister,” she said, frowning. How did this guy know Lane well enough to crash at his place but not even know the name of his sister?
She had so many questions, but she kept them stowed away.
She couldn’t afford to get invested in anything personal as far as Lane was concerned.
Even if curiosity gnawed at her regarding the giant man giving off mega golden retriever energy.
A wide grin spread on Duke’s scruffy face. “Sister, huh? Where’ve you been hiding her?”
Ignoring the question, Lane stepped out of his truck just as Suzy parked her little sedan in the driveway.
Duke leaned forward, resting his forearms on the seatback.
“Dude’s been in a sour mood since I showed up.
He acts like he hates me getting him riled up, but it’s all in good fun.
Just trying to get him out of his own head.
Not sure it’s working, but don’t worry, I’ll keep trying.
” He patted her on the top of the head before hopping outside.
She couldn’t stop from smiling at the guy. There was something about him that was charming as hell, in a way that she had no doubt drove Lane crazy.
Which made her like him even more.
Despite wanted to get back to Parker, Celine climbed out of the vehicle and walked around the hood to say hello to Suzy.
Despite the difficulties between her and Lane, she’d always had a good relationship with Suzy.
Kept her as close as possible, which made keeping the paternity of Parker a secret even harder because there was no doubt Suzy’d make the best auntie.
A twinge of regret had her second-guessing her decisions. Her mother was her only family, and as much as she loved her, the woman wasn’t exactly the warm and fuzzy type. Parker needed more people in his village to love and support him.
Maybe Lane, along with his sister, could be that for him.
Suzy smiled and gave a little wave. “Hey, guys. You having a party this afternoon, or what?” She squeezed her brother’s arm before pulling Celine in for a quick hug then facing Duke. Her grin shifted into a lopsided smirk, brow lifted, and fisted a hand on her hip. “I don’t think we’ve met.”
Duke swept his cowboy hat off his head. “No, darlin’, we most certainly haven’t. I’m Duke, a friend of your brother’s.”
Lane snorted. “So we’re friends now?”
“Always have been in my book.” Duke placed his hat back on his head then held out a hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Suzy fit her palm in his. “You in town to visit Lane?”
“Sure am. Staying here for a night or two.” He dipped his head toward the house. “My pal has a few things to do for the rest of the day. It’d be nice to have a local to show me around. Maybe share a drink or two over a meal later.”
“No,” Lane growled. “Absolutely not.”
Suzy laughed. “Seriously? You’re back in town for one night and you think you can tell me what to do? Not gonna happen.”
“I’m not telling you what to do, I’m telling Duke what not to do.”
Although the situation was amusing, she didn’t want to stand around and watch an argument unfold that had nothing to with her. She had bigger problems to worry about than who Suzy decided to have dinner with tonight. “Do you think we can get things settled quickly so I can get back to Parker?”
Lane winced. “Sorry. Suzy, I was just dropping Duke off then planned to give Celine a ride.”
“Perfect,” Suzy said, beaming. “You and Celine go get that precious baby of hers and I’ll hang out with your buddy.”
Lane opened his mouth to argue, but Suzy looped her arm around Duke’s and yanked him toward the front porch before any words came out.
Red flushed out the natural tan of Lane’s face. He balled his hands at his sides, darting his gaze between her and his sister.
Celine took a step to the side to block his view. “I’m not sure what’s up with you and your friend, but Suzy’s a grown woman who can handle herself. Not to mention, the more you act like you don’t want her hanging out with Duke, the more she’ll want to do it.”
Scowling, Lane finally met her gaze and huffed out an irritated breath. “I hate that you’re always right.”
She shrugged. “It can be a burden, but right now all I’m interested in is getting to Parker. Once we get him and you drive us home, you can come back and play bodyguard to Suzy.”
An unnamed emotion skittered across his face, but he finally sighed and turned back toward his truck and climbed inside.
She followed behind, hooking her seatbelt and hating the zip of electricity that flowed inside her at being alone and in such close quarters as Lane.
He hooked an arm on the back of the seat as he shifted to look out the back window and maneuver out of the driveway. Once he was on the road, he chanced a quick glance in her direction before refocusing in front of him. “What if I wasn’t just playing at being a bodyguard.”
“You mean you really want to be Suzy’s bodyguard? I don’t think she’d go for that,” she said, frowning.
The side of his mouth hitched up. “Not Suzy. You and Parker. I’m out of work right now and have nothing but time on my hands. I could stay close until this whole thing blows over.”
His suggestion tied her stomach in knots. She feared the danger lurking around, but she feared what would happen if she spent too much time with Lane almost as much.
She clenched her hands in her lap, searching for the best way to respond. “I’m not sure that’s the best idea.”
He tightened his grip on the steering wheel but didn’t say a word.
“I appreciate the thought, I really do, but you’ve done your part by helping get me set up with a security system. I’m sure that will be more than enough to keep us safe.”
The uncomfortable silence continued as the open meadows spanned out her window.
Mountains loomed in the distance. She swallowed the urge to say more, to explain something she shouldn’t have to explain.
She just prayed that what she said was true.
Once the nightmare closing in around her went away, then she could focus on her next problem.
And Lane Tipton had always proven to be her biggest problem of all.